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Vehicle companies are working on lowering the number of distracted drivers.
Michael Cole, sales manager at Kelleher Ford, says car companies have different technology so drivers can focus on the road.
One kind of technology can be set to a do not disturb mode, which will block your phone from giving you notifications.
Pre-recorded messages that say “I can’t talk I’m driving” or whatever you set it to will get sent out if someone tries to contact you.
There’s another option that newer vehicles have where they will read your text to you at the push of a button if you are driving so you can avoid being distracted while driving.
Cole says the car companies are trying everything they can.
“The biggest thing is being mindful of what you’re driving. You’re driving something incredibly dangerous on the road and we need to be very careful on what we’re doing with it.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
It's the second day of Crop Connect Conference 2019.
It’s an opportunity for local producers, like Boris Michaleski, to go and connect with farmers from across the province. “I think there is a lot of optimism amongst the producers and industry people.” He continues, “I think overall it’s a pretty upbeat tone at this year’s Crop Connect. Definitely a good turn out.”
Rod Fisher was also at the conference. The presentation he says is one of the most interesting is called ‘Makeyour soil great again.’
“I think the farmers are always optimistic. The grain prices are down a little, but I think everybody’s always got optimism,” Fisher said.
The two-day conference is packed with information sessions and annual general meetings for many crop organizations.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Construction seasons will be busy in the coming years as the province and federal government announced funding for 8 highway improvement projects yesterday.
Certain sections of the Trans-Canada highway, along with PTHs 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 16, and 75 will be repaved. As well, new lanes will be added along a 6 kilometer stretch of PTH 6, and rumble strips will be added at various intersections.
Just under $22,000,000 will be spent on repaving the section of PTH 5 West of Dauphin from the North junction of PTH 10 to the West junction of road 274. As well, PTH 5 from Roblin to the Saskatchewan border, and PTH 10 North of Minnedosa will be repaved.
Just over $36,000,000 is to be invested in repaving 3 sections of PTH 16: From East of the South junction of PTH 83 to road 472, from PTH 21 to the West junction of road 250, and from West of road 242 to East of road 242.
Finally, $54,000,000 will go toward Phase 2 of the rehabilitation work on PTH 6. The funding also includes the section of PTH 6 that will get new lanes.
All together, approximately $291,000,000 in funding will be provided for the 8 projects.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The RCMP warns everyone to be aware of romance scams when searching for that special someone online.
760 people in Canada reported a total loss of 22.5 million dollars to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre last year. That's more than any other kind of fraud.
Scammers look to capitalize on the vulnerability of those looking for love or companionship. The hope is to take significant amounts of money from the victims. They usually create enticing profiles on dating websites to lure people into an online relationship. After a while of building trust, the scammer will ask for money.
The RCMP say the greater the trust gained by the fraudster, the greater the losses suffered by most victims.
The RCMP has a few tips to avoid falling for one of these scams. Be skeptical when chatting with an individual who claims to live nearby but is currently overseas for work (this can be a set-up to ask for money later), be suspicious if they refuse or continuously cancel video chats and in-person meetings, be wary when someone you've never met in person professes their love and scammers may also ask for help covering the cost of an emergency situation, such as a sick family member.
Protect yourself by never, under any circumstances, sending money for any reason. If you believe you’ve been a victim of this, contact your bank and place a stop payment on any cheque or money transfer, report it to the police, and file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
760 victims in Canada reported a loss of $22, 523, 278 which is about $29 635.89 per person. In Manitoba specifically, there were 31 victims that reported a total loss of $812,007.59 which is about $26, 193.79 per person.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce hosted their lunch series at the Aspen Lodge yesterday.
Laurie Cox had a presentation about how the four generations interact in the workplace.
The bulk of her presentation was how to attract and lead the millennial worker.
The millennials are the largest generation and by 2025 will be 75% of the workforce.
With more millennials coming into the workforce Cox suggests an inspiring and visionary leadership over millennials.
There are a lot of differences between the four generations, leadership-wise.
Baby boomers believe in participant management, gen x looks at a more top-down hierarchal, and millennials like a peer to peer relationship with their leaders.
There are similarities between the generations, they all want to do well in their role, they want to be invested in their company and find value in their company.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
With all the snow we've been getting in the last little while, CKDM wants to remind you to clear off the snow from your car windows.
CKDM has been informed by the RCMP that you could be fined $113 for driving a vehicle when it's obstructed by snow, and it could also become a lot worse.
You could be charged with dangerous or careless operation of a motor vehicle if you are in an accident or strike a pedestrian.
CKDM reminds you to take the extra time needed to clear off your car windows to avoid a bad scene.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The RCMP have confirmed that the body found on Monday in the RM of Stanley, is that of Maria Pluschnik who was reported missing on Sunday this week.
RCMP ask that the family's privacy be respected during this difficult time.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Manitoba Infrastructure is warning drivers in the Dauphin area to be alert for deer on highway 10.
There's been an increase in deer crossings recently at a clearly defined path at highway 10 just south of the highway 5 junction, near the airport. According to the release from Manitoba Infrastructure, 20 deer have been hit recently.
While there already is signage around that area, more will be put up.
You can view the most recent deer collision hot spot data here.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Crop Connect Conference 2019 begins this morning.
CFL legend Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons presented over the noon hour. The crowd joined in whenever he got the crowd to clap, say something back, or jump up.
At 10 there were three different presentations. One’s about autonomous Ag, another is about soybean response to hail damage and late seeding, or attendees can hear about mental health.
This afternoon there are a bunch of presentations. Some include trusting the data, an update on the movement of grain from western Canada, and integrated strategies for fusarium head blight management in spring wheat.
Benjamin Schwab is heading to the Victoria Inn, in Winnipeg, to cover day one of the conference.
Tune in throughout the day to hear coverage about what’s going on.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Texting and driving is a problem everywhere.
Corporal Marcel Dewar says texting and driving is dangerous because it takes your eyes off the road. Averting your eyes from the road for even a moment can result in you being in some very unwanted positions.
A first offence of distracted driving results in a three-day license suspension and a 672 dollar fine. If the incident results in a collision that causes injuries or death, the penalties can increase significantly. Criminal charges may even be warranted in certain circumstances.
Corporal Marcel Dewar says there are exceptions to using your phone in your car if it’s an emergency. A person is allowed to make a call for emergency purposes.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Dan Ward has accepted the position of Superintendent and CEO for Mountain View School Division.
Ward has been the Assistant Superintendent of Education for MVSD since July of 2015.
“I think my most valuable experience has been the last three and a half year working with Donna Davidson and our senior admin team, as well as our board of trustees. I’ve learned a great deal.” Ward continues, “prior to that, I bought classroom experience, administrative experience, and working with the province. But certainly over the last three and a half years working for Mountain view has been great.”
He thinks everything he’s done up to this point will help him in his new role that starts on July 1st.
Ward has been an educator for over 23 years spending 11 of those in middle and senior year classrooms. He holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration.
In an MVSD press release, the board of trustees say that “Mr. Ward is an educator who believes in a school division art where students can meet their true potential in a supportive, respectful learning environment.”
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson